Should I buy? Good value? 3rd gen 4runner

Hey all, I'm looking at buying a 3rd gen 1996 4runner. It has got 220K miles, a manual transmission, 4wd, and the 3.4 engine. It just got new stock brakes, a new timing belt, water pump, a new clutch plate, and valve cover gaskets. It also just got new wheels and tires (for $1K.). According to the owner it is well maintained and taken care of. There is no rust on the body or frame other than a small amount of surface rust and a small rusted spot on the driver side rear bumper. Also, when it was just up on the stand the LBJ's were secure, (still will probably replace soon as they are the factory ones and from what I have read its better safe than sorry.) Now when it comes to buying it is a 5hr drive from where I live so it would likely be, I get there, test drive it, and if everything is good purchase it. The thing I would like to know is that it is in the 9-10k price range (listed at 10 but open to negotiation.) and I'm not sure if what I'm getting is worth the price? The reason why I think it is (from what I've read) there is no rust, recently worked on so will get to put many miles on it until I need to spend money on regular maintenance (clutch, timing belt, new fluids), and it is a manual. Is this worth the purchase?

I live in Idaho and the car is in Montana so in the winter their is salt and snow on the roads all the time.

Any help appreciated thanks.

Hoping to drive over this Friday to take a look - March 31st

 

hard to say, depends a lot on where you are in the country too. it sounds pretty good from a southern california price point if all that stuff has indeed been done and hoses and bushings are in good order. if theres service history to go with it that can be a 'sleep at night' addition though of course you never know.

its hard doing the buys a long ways away, cause turning around and driving back emptyhanded is less appealing (unless there are obvious red flags). curious what others have to say too

edit: seeing the pictures now looks pretty clean aside from the driver seat, although too clean of an engine is a bit of a worry (for me) that they might be hiding something - might be my paranoia, might be real, who's to say. also was last timing belt replacement at 122k? definitely due for another one then and that's not a cheap deal

 

I’d definitely check the frame, bring a ball peen and tap around, look for crusty weep holes - if it is in good shape, that’s a fair enough price for a MT.